Demolition scare looms over 3,500 BDA plots in 14 layouts

BENGALURU: At least 3,500 sites formed and sold by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in 14 layouts face an uncertain future. The agency on Tuesday admitted these plots stand on lake beds, even as revenue authorities continued their demolition drive against encroachments on water bodies.

The BDA said development works worth Rs 10,000 crore are under way in these layouts. The agency admitted to the illegality of the plots at a meeting called by Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi to know its involvement in developing layouts on lake beds. BDA commissioner T Sham Bhat made the submissions.

The revelation drives a nail into the belief that layouts developed by it are largely litigation-free and come with clear titles. It comes in the backdrop of those who lost their properties in the anti-encroachment drive alleging that revenue authorities have been lenient towards illegal BDA layouts. They have claimed that deputy commissioners are biased towards private buildings.

During its submission, the BDA pointed out that three of the 14 layouts had been developed in accordance with court rulings and thus may be free of violations. However, the remaining 11 lakes were not excluded from an agenda to preserve lakes. The three lake beds excluded from the lake agenda, however, lack official records vis-a-vis change of land use.

Noting that the BDA cannot claim exception or exclusion in the matter of demolition of illegal structures, the Upa Lokayukta asked for the government's stand on the matter. He also called a meeting of officials of the urban development and revenue departments and the Lake Development Authority on Wednesday evening to decide on the matter.